Gen. Petraeus: "The Dick's" New Enemy

Gen. David Petraeus, commanding officer of all U.S. forces in the Middle East, said in an interview Sunday on Radio Free Europe that President Obama's decision to close Gitmo and to end torture of detainees would benefit the U.S.'s fight against terrorism. In doing so, Gen. Petraeus clearly sided with the President against former (Vice) President "The Dick" Cheney, who has been popping up everywhere to claim the opposite.

When he devised the militarily successful surge strategy for Iraq, the wingnuts allowed themselves a premature victory lap, even though Gen. Petraeus was far more cautious and skeptical about the Iraqi government's follow through on reform and reconciliation. Now, no doubt, these very same wingnuts are pounding their tiny fists in anger at Petraeus' rejection of The Dick's statements. Of course, they can always release that anger by enlisting in the armed forces, but as The Dick with his five deferments during Vietnam, they probably have "other priorities."

Surge Regurge

General David "Dumbya's Man" Petraeus gave his testimony this morning to the Senate, and was generally cautious and mixed in his views on progress. No wonder. Despite attempts by war cheerleaders Sens. John Mc Same and Lindsay "It's A Guy's Name, Too" Graham to go the "rah rah" route, Petreaus played it as much down the middle as he could afford to. But, it's far from over. . .

In real-world Iraq, Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr is ready to call off the Mahdi Army cease fire, which has been a boon to the "surge" in that it's lessened violence among Iraqis. He's evidently pissed that the Maliki government is more concerned with self-preservation and with perpetual U.S. occupation. Going to be a bumpy ride if the Mahdi Army is unleashed.

Echo Chamber

MSNBC headline: "Bush Listens Closely to His Man In Iraq"

"His man" indeed. It's well known that Petraeus was in the minority in the Pentagon when it came to recommending a surge of troops in Iraq. Most, including Army Chief of Staff General Casey and former ground commander General Abazaid, were either opposed or lukewarm at best. Dumbya chose and promoted the commander that echoed his preconceived notions about what it would take for "victory" in Iraq. Dumbya routinely bypasses the military chain-of-command (remember Admiral Fallon? What about Chief of Staff Casey?) when he wants to hear what he wants to hear. In this week's hearings, Congress should have insisted on a panel of Pentagon officials - - including the Joint Chiefs - - to assess the damage the extended war in Iraq is doing to our military readiness.

Surge Regurge

Obsidian Wings' Hilzoy has a thorough look at the pro-surge arguments anticipated in the "Petraeus" report, and how they all have logical or factual flaws in one way or another. Good reading. Not that the mainstream media will pick up on the flaws in the argument and report them. Since Petraeus is expected to deliver "his" report (via the White House) to Congress on September 11, the media will be likely making a bogus connection between the al Qaeda attack on us 6 years ago, and the sectarian war in Iraq which we find ourselves in the middle of.

Meanwhile, al Qaeda regains strength in the mountain frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and prepares for the next strike.

Listening to the Generals, Dumbya Style

As noted by Think Progress, the LA Times reports that the upcoming Petraeus report on the surge will be written by the White House, with "inputs" from other government sources. Riiiiight. Ah'll be listnin' to mah Gen'ruls, says the Preznit. Would that be General Confusion, General Mess or Field Marshall Cheney? Wonder what the report will say? The suspense is killing us.

This, of course, contradicts what the White House has been saying, namely that Petraeus, with help from Ambassador "Crock" Crocker, will deliver their independent assessment. Anyone that really believed that Dumbya would allow a change of course at this point in his failed Assministration needs to check into adult day care. This mess is being handed off to his successor.